What are the positives of using period pants in those early years of menstruation? Teen period pants brand, EMREN THE LABEL share why period pants are perfect for teens’ first periods and answer all the common questions teens have about their use, including their use at school.

Period Pants are on the rise around the globe, and they are becoming popular with youth or teen menstruators experiencing their first periods and learning their monthly cycle, in particular. Being able to slide this reusable menstrual product on like a pair of everyday underwear has given teens and adults alike a new sense of comfort, confidence, and empowerment, while considerably reducing their sanitary waste.

What is the environmental impact of switching to period pants?

In Australia, the average menstruator uses up to 12,000 disposable sanitary items in their lifetime. Each one of these single use menstrual products can take 500 years or more to break down in landfill. Incorrect disposal is also an issue. If sanitary items are flushed, they block pipes or end up in waterways. And then, of course, these are packaged in individual plastic wrappers.

On the other hand, period pants can be used for two to three years, with each person requiring five to seven pairs of period undies depending on flow, washing routine, and use of other products, such as reusable menstrual cups. They do not need to be individually wrapped in plastic and can be mostly made from natural fibres, which break down faster and are better for the environment.

Why are teens choosing period pants?

There are a number of reasons why teens prefer period pants, including practical reasons, as well as sustainability reasons.

In terms of sustainability, the younger generations has an increased awareness of their individual waste footprint, and period underwear is an eco-friendly alternative that has a minimal environmental impact compared to disposable sanitary alternatives due to its once-off, limited, or zero-waste packaging and reusable nature.

Practical reasons why teenagers choose period pants include:

• the cost is cheaper than disposable products over it two to three year lifespan,

• they often hold more volume than disposables, which means fewer changes a day,

• they provide secure overnight protection,

• they are always there in your wardrobe ready to go - no need to run to shops!,

• there are different absorbency levels to suit a variety of period flows and days,

• they provide a smooth transition into period products as no positioning is required,

• a style that suits the menstruator’s body and movement can be found,

• there is no scrunch or embarrassing crunching plastic noise,

• the natural or wicking fabrics used make them more breathable and reduce sweat and trapped heat,

• they don’t pull and stick to pubic hair,

• they are a comfortable back-up for other inserted period products that may leak, and

• they are comfortable to wear when not sure of period timing or if having an irregular cycle.

In addition, the use of reusable menstrual products has become normalised through increased choice and availability, and they may be chosen rather than an inserted product for cultural reasons.

What are the cons of period pants?

Despite all these advantages of period pants, they do have some cons, like:

• the 24 to 48 hour drying time, which can be an issue in winter as they cannot be tumble dried (though you only need them once a month, you may want to reuse them for the same cycle),

• heavy bleeders may not feel secure enough with period pants alone,

• there is a higher upfront cost and initial investment,

• they cannot be tested out, which can be a concern those for whom it’s a lot to spend,

• compared to a menstrual cup, more than one is needed and washing uses more water and electricity,

• they need to be rinsed soon after wearing and machine washed, which can be challenging with no access to clean water and when traveling for long periods of time, and

• they can’t be easily slipped into and hidden in a handbag when going out like a menstrual cup or reusable menstrual pad.

Which period pants should I invest in?

There are now so many options and so much choice when it comes to period products, as well as a huge variety of styles, prints, and fabrics, picking which one to invest in can be a little overwhelming. 

To help you make this decision, let's break it down into two main things to consider when choosing period pants:

1. Your personal values

Think about the kind of business you want to support in your switch to reusables. Some questions you can ask yourself and research about a brand before buying are:

• Do you want to support locally made and owned? Do you want to support a small businesses?

• Is the manufacturer transparent in their processes and efforts to reduce waste, limit fast fashion impulse buys, and make a quality garment that lasts? Cheaper garments are often made with cheaper fabrics and may deteriorate quickly.

• Are the period pants made ethically? Are the makers paid a fair wage and do they work in a safe, healthy environment?

• Is the garment made from natural, recycled, or biodegradable materials?

• Is the packaging minimal, recycled and recyclable?

2. Your body 

It is also important to think about how your period and your body need to be supported. Consider the daily volume of your flow and how often you want to change your period pants in a day. Some brands make maximum volume period pants for very heavy flow bodies, while others range from light to moderate to heavy. 

Also choose ones in a style you find comfortable. Do you prefer a high waist bikini style or boy legs? A g-string, midi or bike shorts?

Also consider the kind of activities you do on your period and how you need the period pants to move with you, as well as whether you have reactive skin or any allergies. Do you want natural fibres or plastics against your skin?

Read our Reusable Menstrual Products: How to Choose, Clean & Other FAQ blog post for more period underwear recommendations and about other reusable menstrual product options

Wearing period pants at school

Period pants are especially good for teens as they can be left on for the whole school day, and they feel and look like everyday underwear. 

Keeping a backup pair in a wash bag is always an option, and there is no chance of spill or mess when changing them like menstrual cups. Having to get it out to empty it can be stressful when not in a home environment.

Period underwear can also be used as a back up when learning to insert tampons or menstrual cups to protect from any leaks and build confidence in the early years of menstruation.

How to wash & care for period pants

Washing your period pants is much like washing any other delicate garment. But, there is one extra step - rinse thoroughly after use!

Rinsing soon after wearing is important to shift and remove blood and secretions before they dry and set into the gusset. This makes the machine wash much more effective at cleaning them and keeping them hygienic.

If you are at school or work, you do not have to rinse them immediately, but do it as soon as practical.

After rinsing, toss them straight into a cold wash with similar fabrics and colours or leave them until your’e ready to do your next load of washing. Do not use bleach or softener, and using a delicates bag is a good idea to save their threads and help keep their shape.

Dry them inside out in the sun in winter and in the shade in summer. Sunshine is antimicrobial and will help keep them fresh but it will also degrade the elasticity over time and cause fabric to fade so best to avoid high-extreme UV days. 

How to make period pants last

Some tips to make your period pants last:

• Don’t forget about them in the bottom of your bag - rinse as soon as practical!

• Do not wash in hot water - this will cause the blood to set in the gusset and likely shrink the garment and compromise the waterproofing layers

• Dry flat to avoid stretching the fabric

• Allow them to dry fully and store where they can breathe

• Do not be tempted to ‘scrub’ the gusset when secretions have set in. A long machine wash should sort any uterine lining out. If not, double wash or a gentle massage of the gusset should help.

• Never wring them dry, press excess moisture out with towel if necessary

Can I gift period pants?

As stigma and awkward feelings around periods shift towards positivity and pride, gifting reusable period products is becoming more common. Family or friends can gift period products, just keep in mind how discreet the receiver may want you to be!

If they already use period pants or pads, try for some updated patterns or styles. Otherwise, ask them or offer them a voucher for a brand you have enjoyed using. Perhaps they have wanted to make the switch but are afraid to make the leap! 

Period products can be gifted before or after first periods, as a ‘welcome to your period’ token. They can be given for birthdays, during holiday seasons, and on menstrual hygiene day! It may give them an opportunity to try a product they didn't know about and help them reduce their sanitary waste.

Pair it with something sweet, some relaxing tea leaves or a period resource like a book or health magazine. And, why not leave a note sharing your story of menarche or a period oopsie that you look back on and laugh at!

Common period undie questions for teens answered

Q: Will I feel wet? Will they smell?

A: Using period pants is similar to using a disposable pad. You will feel your period blood and a brief wetness and then the moisture will quickly wick into the inner layers. Period pants are designed to draw moisture downwards and into the gusset using a dedicated wicking layer. If you ever feel like a pool is forming in your period pants or consistent wetness, they have reached their capacity and it's time to change into a clean pair.

There is no increased smell by using reusables, as long as you change them as needed and follow the washing instructions. It is important to allow them to dry fully before storing for your next cycle.

Q: What stops them from leaking into my pants?

A: Period pants use a waterproofing layer hidden in the gusset. As long as you use them properly and change them as needed, leaking over the seams will not be a problem.

Q: What do I do with them when they have reached their end of life?

A: This really depends on the fabric they are made from, but disposing of them responsibly will require them to be taken apart. Anything from the gusset that is plastic, nylon, or poly based will need to go into landfill as it cannot be recycled due to hygiene reasons. Any 100% natural fibres can be composted or thrown in your worm farm. Elastics can be recycled in Australia through programs such as Upparel or AfterAu.

For more answers to reusable menstrual product questions and other waste-free options and product recommendations for your period, read our Reusable Menstrual Products: How to Choose, Clean & Other FAQ blog post.

Guest post written by Renee Robbins from EMREN THE LABEL, Australian owned and made teen period pants

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